The Columbian's Business Today Newsletter
increased by a very healthy 11
percent year-on-year." The chip
industry represents an important
piece of the Clark County economy
with such employers as SEH
America and Linear Technology.
Yum
Nike
WaMu
Nordstrom
Page 2 of 3
$40.79, up 11 cents
$67.81, up $1.01
$12.52, up 23 cents
$35.54, up 28 cents
Stocks & Markets
< strong>Packaging
company announces dividend
Bemis Co. Inc., which operates a commercial bag plant in Vancouver, declared a regular quarterly
cash dividend of 22 cents per share. The dividend is payable June 2, to shareholders of record at
the close of business on May 16. Wisconsin-based Bemis Company is a major supplier of flexible
packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products,
manufacturing, and other companies worldwide. Founded in 1858, the company reported 2007 net
sales of $3.6 billion. Bemis employs about 15,700 individuals in 56 manufacturing facilities in 10
countries around the world.
Mortgage rates stay above 6 percent
Rates on 30-year mortgages remained above 6 percent this week, edging up to the highest level
in seven weeks and reflecting continued financial market concerns about inflation. Mortgage giant
Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.06 percent this
week, up slightly from 6.03 percent last week. It marked the second week in a row that 30-year
rates have been above 6 percent and was the highest level since these mortgages averaged 6.13
percent the week of March 16. The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, however,
dipped to 5.59 percent this week, down from 5.62 percent last week.
New blog offered to women planning for retirement
Women interested a comfortable retirement and in sharing ideas for how to get there are invited to
join the discussion at The Columbian's new blog 60 & Single at
http://www.columbian.com/business/60andsingleblog. Hosted by Julia Anderson, Columbian
business editor, the blog is intended to help baby boomer women manage their money, save for
retirement and get the most from retirement. Current blog topics: Shopping with coupons, Social
Security Web sites, managing credit card debt and volunteer work opportunities.
People
Gail Liberman, director of Clark College’s Teaching and Learning Center, has been
named a recipient of the 2008 Anna Sue McNeill Teaching, Learning and
Assessment Award. The award recognizes an individual’s contributions at public
two- or four-year colleges in Washington. Liberman will be one of seven honorees
statewide on April 30 during the Pacific NW Higher Education Teaching and
Learning Conference in Spokane.
If you missed it
Little Leaguer back in play
Five days ! after a 12-year-old Vancouver boy was told he could not play
Little Le ague baseball because he wears an oxygen tank, his baseball
career is back on track thanks to a decision by the governing committee
of Little League.
Boring but important
Campus on the rise
Clark College’s $27 million east Vancouver campus is gradually taking
form at 18700 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.
Quote of the Day
“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.”
- Edwin Way Teale, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, (1899-1980).
Tonight
Watch the story of WWII women shipyard workers
The Clark County Historical Museum’s First Thursday lecture series continues tonight with a free
viewing of “Good Work Sister.” The video illustrates the history of women shipyard workers during
World War II. It begins at 7 p.m. at the museum, 1511 Main St. Information: 360-993-5679 or here.
5/6/2008